The list of residential areas in Dubai with district cooling

• What is Empower?
• Residential Areas in Dubai Using Empower
• Complexes and Gated Communities Using Empower
• What is Emicool?
• Residential Areas in Dubai Using Emicool
• Complexes and Gated Communities Using Emicool
• FAQs

The hot summers of the UAE make air conditioning systems a necessity. There is a variety of cooling systems in Dubai, the most popular of which is district cooling. The district cooling systems used in some of the city’s prominent residential neighbourhoods are more energy-efficient and environmentally friendly. We’ve compiled a list of areas with district cooling in Dubai for your convenience.

What is Empower?

Empower is one of the major service providers to areas with district cooling in Dubai. Established in 2003, Empower is a joint venture between DEWA (Dubai Electricity and Water Authority) and TECOM Investments. The company recently acquired Palm District Cooling and services major residential communities with district cooling in Dubai. These include JBR, Business Bay, DIFC, JLT and more.

AREAS IN DUBAI WITH EMPOWER DISTRICT COOLING

Take a look at the list of residential areas with district cooling in Dubai powered by Empower.

Rank	Areas	Average Rent
Rank 1	Areas Jumeirah Village Circle (JVC)	Average Rent AED 76,000
Rank 2	Areas Business Bay	Average Rent AED 111,000
Rank 3	Areas Jumeirah Lake Towers (JLT)	Average Rent AED 103,000
Rank 4	Areas Dubai Silicon Oasis (DSO)	Average Rent AED 59,000
Rank 5	Areas Dubai Sports City	Average Rent AED 60,000
Rank 6	Areas Palm Jumeirah	Average Rent AED 228,000
Rank 7	Areas Dubai Production City (IMPZ)	Average Rent AED 59,000
Rank 8	Areas Jumeirah Beach Residence (JBR)	Average Rent AED 177,000
Rank 9	Areas Dubai Residence Complex	Average Rent AED 54,000
Rank 10	Areas Barsha Heights (Tecom)	Average Rent AED 84,000
Rank 11	Areas DAMAC Hills	Average Rent AED 83,000
Rank 12	Areas Dubai Investment Park (DIP)	Average Rent AED 61,000
Rank 13	Areas Jumeirah Village Triangle (JVT)	Average Rent AED 64,000
Rank 14	Areas DIFC	Average Rent AED 106,000
Rank 15	Areas Dubai Studio City	Average Rent AED 60,000
Rank 16	Areas Motor City	Average Rent AED 90,000
Rank 17	Areas Bluewaters Island	Average Rent AED 502,000
Rank 18	Areas Dubai Internet City	Average Rent AED 45,000
Rank 19	Areas Academic City	Average Rent AED 36,000
Rank 20	Areas Green Community	Average Rent AED 136,000
Rank 21	Areas Discovery Gardens	Average Rent AED 54,000
Rank 22	Areas Dubai Media City	Average Rent AED 227,000
Rank 23	Areas City of Arabia	Average Rent AED 52,000
Rank 24	Areas Palazzo Versace	Average Rent AED 509,000
Rank 25	Areas Al Khail Gate	Average Rent –
Rank 26	Areas Dubai Healthcare City	Average Rent AED 65,000
Rank 27	Areas Dubai World Trade Centre Residences	Average Rent AED 316,000
Rank 28	Areas Mirdif Hills	Average Rent AED 106,000
Rank 29	Areas Ghoroob Mirdif	Average Rent –
Rank 30	Areas Uptown Mirdif	Average Rent AED 80,000

JUMEIRAH VILLAGE CIRCLE

One of the most popular places to rent apartments in Dubai, Jumeirah Village Circle, is a lush development with landscaped parks and walking paths. Aside from freehold apartments, the JVC community boasts an extensive portfolio of villas and townhouses.

• The average price to rent apartments in JVC with district cooling is AED 76k.

BUSINESS BAY

Located next to the iconic centre of Downtown Dubai, the slightly more affordable Business Bay also ranks amongst the most popular communities in Dubai. The floor plans for apartments in Business Bay show that the variety of layouts available includes everything from studios to 4-bedroom apartments.

• The average price to rent apartments in Business Bay is AED 111k.

JUMEIRAH LAKE TOWERS

Jumeirah Lake Towers is another residential development that enjoys district cooling in Dubai, offering sleek apartment towers built around a tranquil lake. The properties in Jumeirah Lake Towers range from studios to 5-bedroom apartments, with amenities like gyms, swimming pools and restaurants, supermarkets and salons nearby.

• Renters keen to live in apartments for rent in JLT can expect to pay an average price of AED 103k.

DUBAI SILICON OASIS (DSO)

Dubai Silicon Oasis is favoured by renters and buyers for its affordable apartments, villas and convenient amenities. There are various layouts available for properties here, with multiple Dubai Silicon Oasis floor plans for each bed type.

• The average price to rent flats in Dubai Silicon Oasis is AED 59k annually.

PALM JUMEIRAH

A world-famous landmark in Dubai, Palm Jumeirah is one of the emirate’s residential islands and the epitome of luxury living. Palm Utilities initially provided district cooling services to the properties in Palm Jumeirah, which was later acquired by Empower.

Palm Jumeirah is home to high-end apartments, townhouses and villas with fabulous views and amenities. The Palm Jumeirah apartments for rent come in various configurations. It includes studios to 5-bedroom apartments and large 4 to 7-bedroom villas.

• On average, tenants must pay AED 228k per year for a comfortable apartment for rent in Palm Jumeirah.

DUBAI PRODUCTION CITY (IMPZ)

Dubai Production City is a mixed-use development located along Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road (E311) and features modern apartments ranging from studios to 3-bedroom units.

• The average cost to rent apartments in Dubai Production City is AED 59k per year.

JUMEIRAH BEACH RESIDENCE (JBR)

Another prominent entry in Dubai’s list of district cooling areas is JBR (Jumeirah Beach Residence), which offers spacious and elegant apartments with breathtaking views of the Arabian Sea or the Dubai Marina neighbourhood.

The floor plans for JBR apartments for rent reveal that residents can have their pick from an extensive portfolio, ranging from studios to 4-bedroom penthouses.

• The average price to rent an apartment in JBR is AED 177k.

DUBAI RESIDENCE COMPLEX

Comprising modern apartment buildings, Dubai Residence Complex is a popular neighbourhood along the Dubai-Al Ain Road (E66) that offers freehold and rental apartments. Notable buildings in the Dubai Residence Complex include Ajmal Sarah Tower and Desert Sun.

• The average asking price of apartments for rent in Dubai Residence Complex is AED 54k.

BARSHA HEIGHTS

Another area that enjoys district cooling in Dubai, Barsha Heights is a mixed-use neighbourhood. Barsha Heights (Tecom) boasts commercial and residential properties near Sheikh Zayed Road (E11), with easy access to professional hubs such as Dubai Media City, Dubai Internet City and more.

• The average asking price for rental apartments in Barsha Heights is AED 84k per year.

JUMEIRAH VILLAGE TRIANGLE

Located beside JVC, Jumeirah Village Triangle is another peaceful gated neighbourhood with spacious apartments, villas and townhouses serviced by Empower district cooling in Dubai.

• If you are on the lookout for an apartment for rent with district cooling in JVT, expect to pay an average rental cost of AED 64k per year.

DUBAI INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL CENTRE (DIFC)

DIFC is known for housing the leading financial hub for the Middle East, South Asia and Africa, along with art galleries, trendy restaurants and retail outlets. The properties in DIFC include high-end apartments in sleek residential towers, which are served by district cooling in Dubai.

• The average price to rent an apartment in DIFC is AED 106k per annum.

DUBAI STUDIO CITY

Close to other residential areas such as Motor City, Dubai Studio City boasts a free zone for broadcasting companies and production houses. However, there are affordable freehold apartments available here for rent and sale as well.

• The average cost to rent an apartment in Dubai Studio City is AED 60k per year.

BLUEWATERS ISLAND

One of the newer residential islands in Dubai, Bluewaters Island – home to Ain Dubai, the world’s largest Ferris wheel is also serviced by Empower. Aside from waterfront promenades, resorts and retail outlets, Bluewaters Island has a large portfolio of apartments ranging between 1 and 4 bedrooms.

• On average, tenants will have to shell out AED 502k annually to get an apartment in this area.

DUBAI INTERNET CITY

Want to benefit from district cooling services in Dubai? Live in Dubai Internet City! This information technology-free zone features high-rise towers with commercial and residential properties. The area is part of the TECOM Group and, thus, enjoys Empower district cooling in Dubai.

• The average cost to rent flats in Dubai Internet City is AED 45k per year.

ACADEMIC CITY

Located at the junction of the Dubai-Al Ain Road (E66) and Emirates Road (E611), Dubai International Academic City is known for housing many university campuses, including Manipal Academy of Higher Education, Heriot-Watt University and Dubai Men’s College.

• The average cost to rent apartments in Academic City is AED 36k per annum.

DISCOVERY GARDENS

This pocket-friendly apartment community is also one of the Empower areas in Dubai, with attractions such as the Ibn Battuta Mall nearby and amenities within the development.

• The average price to rent apartments in Discovery Gardens is AED 54k.

DUBAI MEDIA CITY

Located a stone’s throw away from Dubai Internet City, Dubai Media City is another one of the TECOM-free zones that fall under the list of areas with district cooling in Dubai. The neighbourhood is home to global and local media houses.

• The average rental cost for flats in this area stands at AED 227k per year.

CITY OF ARABIA

Part of the mega-project of Dubailand, City of Arabia, is an upcoming development that will house high-end residential properties and iconic attractions when complete. Located along Sheikh Mohammed Bin Zayed Road (E311), the area is already known for being home to IMG World of Adventures.

• On average, the yearly rent for apartments in the City of Arabia is AED 52k.

COMPLEXES AND GATED COMMUNITIES USING EMPOWER

There are certain residential and commercial projects for which Empower provides district cooling in Dubai instead of whole areas.

AL KHAIL GATE

This family-friendly residential project offers affordable properties ranging from studios to 3-bedroom apartments, with kids’ play areas, gymnasiums and landscaped areas within the community.

DUBAI HEALTHCARE CITY

This mixed-use development is located in the popular neighbourhood of Bur Dubai and houses hospitals and medical teaching centres along with residential apartments.

• Potential tenants can get flats for rent in Dubai Healthcare City at AED 65k annually.

DUBAI WORLD TRADE CENTRE RESIDENCES

One of the residential buildings that benefit from Empower district cooling is the Dubai World Trade Centre Residences. This sleek tower is located close to Downtown Dubai and Old Dubai and boasts 1- to 4-bedroom apartments and duplexes.

• Apartments for rent in this area are available for AED 316k on average.

GHOROOB MIRDIF

This quaint gated community beside Mushrif Park offers relaxed apartment living with studios, 1, 2 and 3-bedroom apartments with family-friendly facilities.

These are the main areas with district cooling in Dubai provided by Empower. Other commercial hubs with Empower District Cooling are the Business Village in Deira and Dubai Design District. 

What is Emicool?

Emicool is another one of the district cooling companies in Dubai that service key residential areas in the city. Similar to Empower, Emicool was established in 2003 and is fully owned by Dubai Investments PJSC. Emicool District Cooling in Dubai serves popular residential areas such as Sports City and Motor City, as well as specific developments like Mirdif Hills and Palazzo Versace.

AREAS WITH EMICOOL DISTRICT COOLING IN DUBAI

Take a look at all the district cooling areas in Dubai that are serviced by Emicool.

Locations	Property Types
Locations Dubai Sports City	Property Types Apartments and Villas
Locations DAMAC Hills	Property Types Apartments, Villas and Townhouses
Locations Dubai Investment Park (DIP)	Property Types Apartments
Locations Green Community (DIP)	Property Types Apartment and Villas
Locations Motor City	Property Types Apartments, Villas and Townhouses

DUBAI SPORTS CITY

Located close to popular communities like Arabian Ranches, Dubai Sports City is one of the district cooling areas in Dubai that are ideal for residents who want to maintain an active lifestyle.

• Interested in renting in Dubai Sports City? Apartments here have an average rental price of AED 60k.

DAMAC HILLS

DAMAC Hills is known for luxurious golf course living with apartments, villas and townhouses set around the Trump International Golf Course. The properties in DAMAC Hills are serviced by Emicool District Cooling. The neighbourhood also features villas and townhouses.

• The rental price for DAMAC Hills apartments averages at AED 83k.

DUBAI INVESTMENT PARK (DIP)

Gaining popularity for being close to the Expo City, Dubai Investment Park is a mixed-use area that is also home to freehold residential apartments, available in studio, 1, 2 and 3-bedroom layouts. It is one of the top areas with district cooling in Dubai.

• The average apartment rental cost in the area is AED 61k per year.

GREEN COMMUNITY (DIP)

Home to apartments, villas and townhouses, Green Community offers leasehold properties set in a lush, family-friendly community with schools, supermarkets and hospitals at hand.

• The rental prices here average AED 97k per annum.

MOTOR CITY

Another one of the residential areas for which Emicool provides district cooling services in Dubai is Motor City. The area boasts an extensive portfolio of apartments, villas and townhouses in a laid-back and leafy community.

• Motor City apartments for rent have an average price of AED 90k annually.

COMPLEXES AND GATED COMMUNITIES USING EMICOOL

Take a look below at some of the communities with district cooling in Dubai provided by Emicool.

PALAZZO VERSACE

Located in Culture Village, Palazzo Versace offers elegant and luxurious apartments by the Jaddaf Waterfront with many amenities and attractions nearby.

• You have to pay AED 509k on average to rent an apartment in the complex.

MIRDIF HILLS

Among the only freehold projects, Mirdif Hills is an apartment community that offers retail outlets and leisure amenities. Interested in getting a home in this community?

• The average price to rent apartments in Mirdif Hills is AED 106k per year.

UPTOWN MIRDIF

Uptown Mirdif offers modern apartments in a family-friendly community that houses parks, a school, a community centre, a gym and more.

• The average rental price for apartments in the gated community is AED 80k.

FAQs about district cooling in Dubai

What companies provide district cooling in Dubai?

There are two district cooling service providers in Dubai: Empower and Emicool. Aside from these two, EMAAR, a prominent real estate developer in the UAE, also offers district cooling services to some of its communities.

What are the advantages of district cooling in Dubai?

District cooling in Dubai was introduced in 1999. This cooling system is environmentally friendly and more efficient than traditional alternatives. District cooling systems work by pumping chilled water from a central plant to buildings and villa complexes through underground insulated pipes, which lowers the temperature of the air passing through the air-conditioning unit. Through this process, district cooling in Dubai attempts to reduce power consumption and be more energy-efficient.

WHAT IS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN DISTRICT COOLING AND CHILLER?

The main difference between district cooling and chiller-free is that tenants are required to pay for district cooling. On the other hand, chiller-free indicates that the landlord has to bear the air-conditioning costs instead of the tenant. In a chiller-free apartment, tenants only pay for the electricity consumed within the unit, excluding air-conditioning.

HOW MUCH DOES DISTRICT COOLING IN DUBAI COST?

District cooling charges in Dubai depend on various factors. According to the official Empower website, two main factors of district cooling costs in Dubai are the ‘Consumption Charge’ and the ‘Demand Charge’. The ‘Consumption Charge’ is based on usage recorded by the unit’s metre at the property. Visit Empower’s official website for more detailed billing information.

And that brings an end to MyBayut’s guide to the district cooling areas in Dubai!